Mark Cavendish Wins Tour de France 5th Stage
Mark Cavendish has finally won his first stage in this year’s Tour de France. The 25-year-old has recorded 11 Tour wins in just three season after failing twice to deliver during the 97th edition of the most prestigious race in cycling.
Cavendish has had a tough time in the Tour so far, particularly after crashing in the first stage on Sunday. In Wednesday’s stage four, he finished in only 12th place. This win for the fifth stage puts him in 107th overall, behind 9′11”. However, there is still time for him to come back, as there are 13 stages left.
About Thursday’s win, Cavendish said that he sat on Mark Renshaw’s wheel and knew he would delivery him to the right place, and he did. He just had to go for the line, which was slightly uphill. It’s an incredible feeling to win, he added. And it looked like he felt incredible as he crossed the line with his hand raised victoriously.
Bradley Wiggins had a hard start to the fifth stage on Thursday, falling in the neutralized zone. Before the race starts, the cyclists ride through a parade route. Wiggins tumbled only 7km into the 187.5km stage. His team said that he was in pain but okay to continue. This fall set him back a little, and he finished the stage in 45th.
Stage 5 Standings
- Mark Cavendish
- Gerald Ciolek
- Edvald Boasson
- Jose Joaquin Rojas
- Thor Hushovd
- Sébastien Turgot
- Robbie Mc Ewen
- Alessandro Petacchi
- Lloyd Mondory
- Tyler Farrar
Overall Standings
- Fabian Cancellar 22h59′45”
- Geraint +23”
- Cadel Evans +39
- Ryder Hesjedal +46”
- Sylvain Chavanel +1′01”
- Andy Shleck +1′09”
- Thor Hushovd +1′19”
- Alexandre Vinokourov +1′31”
- Alberto Contador +1′40”
- Jurgen Van Den Broeck +1′42”